A GUIDE TO THE 
LOCAL HISTORY of 
FREMONT, OHIO 

PRIOR TO 1860 



A GUIDE 



LOCAL HISTORY OF 
FREMONT, OHIO 



PRIOR TO i860 



LUCY ELLIOT KELLER 



COLUMBUS. OHIO: 

Press of Fre^l J Heer 

1905. 



Gift 
Author 
(Person) 

4 Ja '06 



A GUIDE TO THE LOCAL HISTORY 
OF FREMONT, OHIO. 



A. Geology and Topography. 

What are the native rocks of Fremont? 

Limestone. 

How and when were they formed? 

Their stratification proves that they were formed under water, 
and their fossils indicate that the water was salt — a sea. Geolo- 
gists make the date of this formation approximately twenty mil- 
lion years ago. 

Where can these rocks be seen to best advantage? 

In the outcrop at Moore's Mills, Ballville. There the water 
lime rocks are separated by a layer of shale from the Niagara 
limestone below. 

What made the cut through the rocks at Ballville ? 

The Sandusky river, just as it is to-day cutting through the 
softer clay at the Blue Banks. 

Has the Sandusky river always occupied its present channel? 

No. Flowing as it does over so level a region, it is called a 
meandering stream, that is, one which is continually changing 
its bed. Such a stream is characterized by many sharp curves. 
Thus it is forty-two miles from Fremont to Sandusky by water, 
and only twenty-two miles by rail. 

Locate some of the old river beds. 

You must go to see. First examine the sudden turn the river 
makes at the Blue Banks. Proceed south along this bluff and 
note the old bed beyond Sharp's Island, only partially used at 
present, and a second which is dry except at high water. All 
three are full during spring freshets. Long, long ago, the San- 
dusky river passed through the ravine that lies between the Cath- 
olic cemetery and Ballville. At that time the river crossed its 
present channel at a sharp angle and flowed along the northern 
side of Reynold's Wood Hill. 

What covered this country during the Ice Age? 

A vast sheet of ice. 

Since the ice in Ohio melted sooner than that in the eastern out- 
lets of the Great Lakes, how did the water escape? 

Southward, through the Wabash, Maumee and Sandusky riv- 
ers. 



What marked the shrinking of this vast lake? 

The receding water deposited four distinct sand beaches, nearly 
parallel with the southern shore of Lake Erie. These sand beaches 
became our Ridge Roads. 

What became of the hulk of the sediment deposited in this vast 
prehistoric lake? 

It formed a mass of sand and clay, of varying thickness, which 
deposit is the subsoil of the level country about Fremont. 

Where can a good cut through this deposit be found? 

At the Blue Banks. Here on its east hank the river is cutting 
so rapidly that an almost vertical bluff of hard yellow clay is 
maintained. 

What deposits of the glacier can be found? 

Underneath the yellow clay at the Blue Banks, is a dense layer 
of blue clay, or "hard-pan," which was deposited by the glacier. 
It may be studied best at low water, and where a mass of yellow 
clay has recently been removed some glaciated or scratched rocks 
may be found in the blue clay below. 

What is the surface soil about Fremont? 

Deposits of vegetable matter. In the famous Black Swam]), 
extending from Fremont to Toledo, this vegetable deposit was 
of extraordinary depth and richness. 
'What are the rocks so numerous at Stony Prairie? 
'Granite boulders of many kinds, brought here on die hack of 
the ancient glacier thousands of years a 

Whence did these boulders come? 

From Canada. They are wholly unlike our native limestones, 
and correspond accurately with rocks along Lakes Huron and 
Superior and those of the Laurentian Range. 

For this period consult The fee Age, by Prof. G. F. Wright; 
and the Geological Surveys of ( >hio. 

What is the elevation of Fremont? 

The bench mark at the Court House is sixty-two feet above 
Lake Erie, and six hundred and thirty-seven feel above sea level. 

Note some of the physical changes in Fremont within the past 
years. 

Many changes are due to the grading for streets. The old 
fustice house on State street, and the old Brainard house on 
Croghan street, now many feel below the streets, were formerly 
level with the roadways. The site of the* Taylor house, cor- 
ner \rrh and Birchard Avenue, was a high knoll. From C. R. 
McCulloch's property on Birchard avenue, southward, extended 
a larj yerflow emptying into the Market street (Birch- 

ard Ave. i ditch, and flowing east to the river. A deep ravine ran 
from the river southwest ward to the Central school yard. Be- 
fore building his house, Dr. James Wilson hauled large trees to 



help fill that part of the ravine extending through his place. The 
two deep ravines crossing State street have been almost entirely 
filled. 

B. Aboriginal Occupancy. 

What was the old name of Fremont? 

Lower Sandusky. 

Why was it so called ? 

The whole region, river and valley, was called Sandusky, by 
the Indians. Lower Sandusky was to distinguish the village at 
the lower rapids of the river from that at the upper rapids. 

What is the derivation of the word? 

Three Wyandot terms are at our service: Sah-un-dus-kee, 
clear water; Sandoostee, at the cold water; and Sah-undustee, 
'water within writer pools. The last is applicable to the extensive 
marshes intersected by open water. 

Who were the earliest known inhabitants of Fremont? 

The Around Builders, traces of whose occupancy lingered till 
long after the coming of the white settler, along the east bank of 
the river, notably on Croghansville hill and the Blue Banks. 

Who succeeded the Mound Builders? 

A Neutral Nation, who built here two cities of refuge for all 
comers, located by tradition at the Blue Banks and on Evergreen 
Hill. 

Who succeeded the Neutral Nation? 

The Wyandots, escaping from their rapacious kindred, the Iro- 
quois; and with them came many Ottawas from Upper Canada. 
These tribes settled in the Sandusky and Maumee Valleys and 
were firmly established here before the coming of the whites. 

(At this point the student should look up the physical condi- 
tion of the country before the days o\ settlement; the magnificent 
forests, the extensive and peculiar Black Swamp; the marvellous 
quantity of fish in the river; the wild turkeys and g^eese and 
ons which darkened the air in flight; the deer, wolves, foxes. 
beaver, otter, muskrats, etc. Also the Wyandots, their character, 
tribal organization, number; their devotion to the Sandusky Val- 
ley. See Everett's History of Sandusky County; Howe's His- 
torical Collections of Ohio. Wyandot County.) 

Who were the first white men to visit this place? 

French traders and the Jesuit Fathers. 

When did this place first appear on the map? 

On Hutchin's map of 1764, the Indian village twenty miles up 
the river appears as Junqueindundeh. An appendix to this map 
not* s a route leading through this place to Fort Pitt (Pittsburg) ; 
Heckewelder's map of 1706 shows a trail through Sandusky (Fre- 



mont.) This was the greal trail made first by the buffaloes, and 
used doubtless by the Mound Builders next, then by the later 
orders of Indians in going through the Sandusky country from 
the ( ireal I .akes to the < lulf. 

Who gave the firsl detailed description of this place? 

( !ol. Janus Smith, in 1757, a prisoner adopted into the Wyandot 
tribe. ( Read his diary, ) 

Who next mentions the village? 

Bradstreet, in 1704, co-operating with Bouquet to subdue the 
western Indians, passed ;i month about Sandusky Bay and came 
"up the river as far as navigable to Indian canoes." (Consult 
Bouquet's Expedition against the Ohio tndians.) Col. Tsrael 
Putnam commanded the Connecticut regiment of Colonel Brad- 
street's force of 12.000 men. 

Who next mentions the place? 

Samuel Brady, the scout, sent out by Washington in 1780. He 
lay all night on Brady's Island below the village, and watched 
the Indians racing horses along the west bank. (See Miss Keeler's 
Sandusky River.) 

Where was the old Gauntlel track? 

The west hank of the river, extending north and south of the 
present State street was used by the Tndians for Gauntlet track, 
race course, council meetings, etc. Tt was the Indian "Common." 
so to speak. 

Who were the first traders here? 

The French, with headquarters at Detroit, selling powder, flint. 
firearms, blankets and trinkets, in exchange for the valuable furs. 

What other visitors came here prior to the nineteenth century? 

In T778 Daniel Boone was led captive through the village: as 
was his friend Simon Kenton. Zeisberger and Heckewelder. were 
prisoners here in T782. and Heckewelder described seeing the 
gauntlet run here. These two men were the leaders of the Mora 
vians. whose three cities on the Muskingum suffered such fright- 
ful destruction in 1781. The remnants of the Moravians were 
marched to this place as prisoners, whence they embarked on 
boats for Detroit. Preceding and following the Revolutionary 
War. more Indian captives were brought to Lower Sandusky 
than to any other place in Ohio. Tradition has it that two 
thousand captives from the Ohio river were brought here. This 
was the center of Wyandot military operations. The British 
"Rangers," sent from Detroit, to aid their Indian allies against 
William Crawford's armed force, came by boat with their 
arms and cannon to Lower Sandusky, where their horses met 
them for the march to Upper Sandusky. (See Crawford's Cam- 
paign : Miss Keeler's Sandusky River.) 

Mow is Washington's name connected with Lower Sanduskv] ) 



A letter to him from General Irvine, of Fort Pitt suggests a 
second campaign against the Sandusky Indian villages • "'These 
Indians are all settled in a line from Lower Sandusky to the heads 
ot the Miami, not over seventy-five miles. If these could all be 
beat at once, it would nearly put an end to the Indian war in that 
quarter. 

To -what does Irvine refer? 

The Indian war, terminating in 1794, when Anthony Wayne 
brought the tribes into subjection. 

What noted Indians frequented Lower Sandusky? 

Tarhe, the Crane, the principal war chief, lived here and led 
hence his warriors to fight Wayne. Half King, the great chief 
who lived at Upper Sandusky, often came here. Red Tacket 
stopped on his way from Buffalo to make the funeral monody 
over I arhe at Upper Sandusky. Pontiac, the "colossal chief who 
struggled with destiny," and whose conspiracy exploded in 176^ 
was frequently here inciting the warriors; the eloquent- and mas- 
terly Mohawk chief, Brant, here formed the confederacy which 
enabled the Western tribes to defeat two American armies Here 
came, also, the chief heads of the Seneca nation, Coonstick Hard 
Hickory and Seneca John; Logan, the great Mingo; and fecum- 
seh, who organized the Indian rebellion of 181 1 and consummated 
the British alliance of 18 12. 

(See article on Tarhe. the Crane, in Ohio Arch, and Hist Pub- 
lications April, 1905. Also manuscript agreement between Tarhe 
bearing his mark, and Morris A. Newman, postmaster of Lower 
Sandusky, making the latter the Indians' agent to sell timber and 
stones from their lands adjoining Lower Sandusky. This MS 
hangs on the walls of Birchard Library in Fremont ) 

When was the first Indian mission started at Lower Sandusky, 
and by whom ? : ' 

■ ^ l8 S 5 ' h J the Rev - J° se P h Ba dger. He had been a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War, fighting at Bunker Hill, and had 
made the earlier campaign into Canada. During the war of 1812 
he served as Chaplain in General Perkins' Brigade, and rendered 
valuable service in the hospitals, as well as frequently designat- 
ing the best route for the troops through the wilderness which 
he knew so well Chiefly to his influence is due the neutrality 
of the Wvandots during the War of 1812. Except for the Whit- 
aker and Williams families, Badger was probably the first white 

school teacher' 6 ' ^ ™ Certainly the first Poacher and 

C. Settlement of Fremont. 

_ What was the present town of Fremont, at the close of Pon- 
tiac s war in 1764? 



An Indian village, on Croghansville hill, named Junquein- 
dundeh. 

Who were the first traders to make headquarters at Lower San- 
dusk) ': 

Arundel and Robbins, Englishmen, prior to [782. 

What was the first white family in Ohio? 

That founded by James Whitaker and Elizabeth Fulks, his wife, 
natives of Pennsylvania, who were raptured respectively in 1775 
and 177S from their homes at Fish Creek and Cross Roads. At 
the time of their capture James Whitaker was eighteen years of 
age, and Elizabeth Fulks eleven. They were both adopted by the 
Wyandot Indians, and belonged to Tarhe's hand, located at Lower 
Sandusky. They were married at Detroit about [785, and had 
eight children. Whitaker was buried on what was afterward 
known as the Whitaker Reserve, three miles belov\ Fremont. 
The tombstone erected over his grave contains the following 
inscription : 

"In memory of James Whiteacre, who died 
Dec. 17. [804, in the 48th year of his age." 
Mrs. Whitaker lived for many years after her husband's death, 
and was noted for her kindness to the early missionaries and to 
the many white prisoners at Lower Sandusky. Many of their 
descendants are located in Sandusky County. 

What other reservation was given by the Indians to a white 
settler in this vicinity ? 

The Williams reservation, two miles below town, on the east 
side of the river. Williams was a trader, ver\ popular with the 
Indians, his wife an Indian captive. 

1 low did other white settlers gain title to their lands? 

By purchase from the Government. By the treaty of Fort 
Mcintosh, [785, the United States reserved the two mile square 
trad at Lower Sandusky, for a trading post. Ten years later, 
at the treat)- of Greenville, 1705. following Wayne's victory, the 
Wyandots .and associated tribes ceded this tract forever to the 
United States. In [817 the Government surveyed and sold this 
tract. The same year, the Government purchased all of north- 
western ' >hio except a few reservations of which the Senecas held 
40,000 acres. In 1831, the Senecas sold their reservation for 
three and eighth-tenths cents per acre and moved to the far west. 
Tims all the land about Fremont was legally acquired from its 
aboriginal holders. 

Outline the history of the first French settlers at Lower San- 
dusky. 

They had emigrated from France after the French Revolution, 
and settled in Michigan and Ohio. Tn 1812 the Government re- 
moved these wards of the nation to Lower Sandusky for better 



protection from the turbulent Indians. The winter of 1812-13 
they passed in the barracks of Fort Stephenson, but on August 
first they were removed to Upper Sandusky. On the way they 
heard Proctor's cannon beginning the battle of Fort Stephenson. 
(See Everett, pp. 569-570.) 

Where was the old French burying ground? 

( )n Arch street, between Ewing street and Birchard avenue. 

When did the first negroes come to Lower Sandusky? 

About 1780, when the Indians brought a group of negroes 
captured on the Ohio river, and placed them on the little penin- 
sula on the east side of the river, two miles below Lower San- 
dusky. It has ever since been known as Negro Point, or more 
commonly "Nigger Bend." 

When did Fremont first come under the American flag ? 

Theoretically in 1776, but actually in 1795, in which year the 
British evacuated Ft. Miami, following Wayne's victory over the 
Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. The British 
had withheld the lake region on the pretext that certain obliga- 
tions on the American side had not been fulfilled. The county of 
Wayne was established, embracing Michigan and all northwestern 
Ohio. 

How man\- white families lived here in 1815? 

Twenty. 

How many houses were appraised in 1816? 

Eight. 

When was the township of Sandusky organized? 

August, 181 5. 

Where was the first town platted in this locality ? 

Croghansville, on the hill east of the river. It was surveyed 
by a government engineer, Wormley, in 1816, and lots reserved 
for schools and a government navy yard. 

When was the west side platted? 

In 181 7 by the Kentucky Company, who bought of the gov- 
ernment the land between the Western Reserve and Maumee Road 
and the present L. S. & M. S. Railway tracks ; surveyed and 
platted it, and named it Sandusky. 

Who composed the Kentucky Company? 

Fifteen citizens, including Israel Harrington, Thos, L. Haw- 
kins, Morris A. Newman and David Gallagher. (For full list 
see Everett, pp. 399-400.) 

When was the name officially changed to Lower Sandusky ? 

At the incorporation of the village in 1829, when Croghans- 
ville was included within the limits of Lower Sandusky. 

Of what county is Fremont the county seat, when was it organ- 
ized, and what territory did it comprise? 

Sandusky County, organized February 12, 1820, comprised in 



10 

addition to its presenl territoryj all of Ottawa county, and parts 
of Seneca, Lucas ami Erie counties, Its population was less than 
t.ooo souls. 

Sketch the history of the seat of political government of Lower 
Sandusky, before the formation of Sandusky county. 

This place was within the boundaries of Huron county, with 
first Milan, then Norwalk as count) seat. It was to Norwalk that 
the proprietors went to file their plat of this village. Earlier, this 
place was within the limits of Delaware county, with Delaware 
as the county seat; Franklin county, with Franklinton as county 
seat: and Hamilton count) with Cincinnati as count) seat. Still 
earlier Lower Sandusky was a tiny part of Wayne county, which 
included Michigan, Indiana, the site of Chicago and northwestern 
Ohio, with the seat of justice at Detroit. Still earlier, as part 
of the Northwest Territory, headquarters were at Marietta, on 
the ( >hio river. Before the organization of the Northwest Ter- 
ritory, our >eat of Government was wherever the migratory Con- 
gress happened to be either at Princeton or Annapolis. Still 
earlier, we were claimed b) lour States: Massachusetts. Connec- 
ticut, Xew York and Virginia, with respective headquarters at 
Boston, Hartford, New York City and Jamestown. Virginia's 
claim to our land resulted in lur organizing in 1:778, the Illinois 
County, with seat ^\ justice in Kentucky. Earlier yet, before 
the Declaration of Independence, the English government had 
established the province >^i Quebec, extending from Hudson Bay 
to the Ohio river, and a criminal in Fremont would have had to 
go to Quebec for legal trial. Before the Quebec Act, the king of 
England reserved "under his sovereign protection for the ib. of 
the Indian, all lands of America beyond the sources of the rivers 
falling into the sea."" and the county seat was the palm o\ King 
George. Prior to that date we were claimed by the French, who 
pretty nearly made good their claim by exploration and fortifica- 
tion, and our seat of government crossed the channel to Paris 
itself. Nor should it be forgotten that Spain's claim extended 
indefinitely north from the Mexican and Gulf acquisitions, and. 
according to her dictum, Fremont's county seat was at the court 
in Madrid! 

In 1830. how did Lower Sandusky rank among Ohio villages? 
\s die leading village of northwestern Ohio, both in popula- 
tion and amount of trade. 

When was the first village election, and how many votes were 
polled ? 

October 10, [815; with 28 votes. 

The second ? 

October, t8i6, with 33 votes. 



II 

How many votes were cast in [831? 

( )ne hundred and forty-six. 

Who was the first postmaster ? 

Morris A. Newman, appointed in [813. 

Who was the first justice of the peace? 

Israel I [arrington, 1S1 5. 

Who was the firsl village treasurer? 

David Gallagher, [815. Mr. Gallagher had acted as assistant 
commissary of Fort Stephenson after the war. 

Who was the first judge of Common Pleas Court ? 

George Tod. the father of David Tod, one of the "War Gov- 
ernors" of Ohio, opened court in a small log house on Croghans- 
ville hill, May 8, [820. Mis judicial district covered almost a 
third of the State of Ohio. He was a Yale graduate; had been 
State Senator, and supreme judge from 1806 until he resigned to 
enter the army in 1S12. (See First Court House, E.) 

Who was tin- second Common Pleas Judge? 

Ebenezer Lane, elected justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio 
in 1830. 

After the village was incorporated in 1829, who was the first 
mayor ? 

John Bell. 

Who were the first doctors? 

Dr. Hastings. [816; and Dr. Daniel Brainard, 1819. 

What was the fust newspaper printed in Lower Sandusky? 

The Lower Sandusky ( .a/.ette, July, 1820,. The sheet measured 
17x21 inches. Thomas Smith was editor, publisher, type-setter 
and press-man. The paper lived about [8 months. 

When and what was the first play given in Lower Sandusky? 

In 1819 the young men of the village played Goldsmith's "She 
Stoops to Conquer." Thomas L. Hawkins painted the scenery, 
wrote the prologue, and performed the important parts. The 
play was given in the upper story of the historic old tavern, on 
the site of the present Wheeling and Lake Erie station. (For 
the Prologue, set' Everett's I list, of Sandusky County., p. 406.) 

Why was the name of the village changed to Fremont? 

Because of the confusion attending the repetition of the name 
Sandusky, there being Upper and Lower, Big and Little San- 
dusky and Sandusky City along the river. The name was changed 
in 1849. 

Who presented the matter before the local courts? 

Rutherford B. Hayes, at that time a law partner of Ralph P, 
Buckland, at Lower Sandusky. 

Why was the. name Fremont selected? 

The name generally preferred was Croghan, pronounced 



[2 

Crawn ; but there were man) ways of spelling it. so the name 
Fremont was chosen in honor of the famous explorer and the 
discoverer of I 'ike' • I 'eak. 

D. The Revolutionary and Pre-Revolutionary Forts of 
This Locality. 

\\ li.ii was the first British fort in « Ihio? 

Fort Sandusky, erected by British traders from Virginia and 
Pennsylvania, on the west bank of the Sandusky Bay and River 
(the Marblehead peninsula), in 1745. but later '"usurped by 
the French." It was reoccupied b) the British after the sur- 
render of Canada 1>\ the French, in November, \j(y.>. Major 
Robert Roger, with two hundred rangers, arrived from Mon 
trial, to take possession of the French forts on Lake Erie. 
Pontiac's conspiracy burst early in May, [763. "Nine British 
forts yielded instantly. Detroit and Fort Pitt alone escaped cap- 
ture, and the savages drank, scooped up in the hollow of joined 
hands, the blood of many a Briton. Sandusky was the 

first of the forts to fall. May 15.*' Ensign Paully was seized, car- 
ried to Detroit, and married to a squaw, who had lost her hus- 
band. The remainder of the garrison was massacred, and the fort 
burned. (See Pontiac's Conspiracy.) Ensign Paully finally 
escaped to the fort at Detroit, and reported the disaster. Fori 
Sandusky was never rebuilt. Col. John Bradstreet's expedition, 
in 1 705, arrived at Fort Sandusky, and after relieving Detroit 
returned to Sandusky, when' he remained several months. 

When was the fort at the Lower Falls of the Sandusky River 
first mentioned ? 

Tin- firsl mention of the fort at Lower Sandusky, and the 
first mention of the place by that name, is in a letter from Brig.- 
Gen. Win. Irvine to Major Isaac Craig, during the Revolutionan 
War, as follows: "Fort Pitt, Nov. ri, [783. Sir: 1 have 
received intelligence through various channels that the British 
have established a post at Lower Sandusky." 

( Note the distinction between the pre-Revolutionary Fort San- 
dusky, on the peninsula near the mouth of the Sandusky River, 
and the Revolutionary post at Lower Sandusky, twenty miles 
inland, to which General Irvine refers. This post was also doubt- 
less known as Fort Sandusky, the original Fort Sandusky having 
been destroyed twenty years earlier. The second Fori Sandusky, 
1. e., the post at Lower Sandusky, was rebuilt during the War of 
1X1 j. and has ever since been known as Fort Stephenson. The 
gold medal awarded by Congress to Croghan, in [8^4, for the 
Defense of Fori Stephenson in [813, hears on the reverse, besides 
the motto and date, the word "Sandusky." ) 



13 

What further reference was made to Lower Sandusky during 
the Revolutionary War? 

In 1780 General Washington sent Captain Brady to learn of 
the intentions of the Indians in the Sandusky country, with refer- 
ence to renewing the war as allies of the British. Brady spent 
several days on Brady Island, in Sandusky River, watching 
the Indians on the banks, and became satisfied from their actions 
that they were not contemplating a fresh campaign, and so 
reported to Washington. (See page 6.) Subsequently, Brady 
was sent out again from Fort Pitt on a similar errand, but was 
captured by the Indians and carried to Sandusky to run the gaunt- 
let and be burned at the stake. He escaped, however, was hotly 
pursued by the Indians, and made his famous leap over the 
Cuyahoga River. 

E. War of 1812. 

What was the attitude of the Wyandots of Lower Sandusky in 
the War of 181 2? 

Neutrality. 

What chief led the surrounding Indians to side with the British? 

Tecumseh. 

Why were fortifications rebuilt at Lower Sandusky, July, 1812? 

To protect the government stores at this point. 

Where was this fortification, and by what name is the place 
known ? 

On the hill west of the river; since May 1813 known as Fort 
Stephenson, in honor of the colonel then in command. 

Who garrisoned the Fort? 

Troops came and went. July 3, 1813, Kentucky mounted rifle- 
men under Col. Richard M. Johnson, afterward known as "the man 
who killed Tecumseh," and the future Vice President, marched 
from Fort Meigs to Lower Sandusky. Independence Day was 
celebrated by garrison and guests, and first mention is made of 
the historic cannon, "Old Betsy," which fired Fourth of July 
salutes. 

Who is the hero of Fort Stephenson, and when did he take 
command of the Fort? 

Major George Croghan, a Kentucky youth of twenty-one years, 
arrived with part of his regiment to garrison the fort, prior to 
July [6, [813. 

Who was in command of the Northwestern Army? 

William Henry Harrison, with general headquarters at Fort 
Seneca, nine miles up the river from Lower Sandusky. 

When was the battle of Fort Stephenson fought, and with what 
force and commanders ? 



14 

August i and 2, [813. Croghan's gallant force of 160 men and 

one cannon, "Old Betsy," held the Fort two days and finally 
vanquished 800 British Regulars, veteran troops of Wellington's 
Peninsula campaign, commanded by General Henry Proctor and 
about two thousand Indian allies under Tecumseh. Croghan 
lost but one man ; the British lost Lieutenant-Colonel Short, Lieu- 
tenant ( iordon, and several score of regulars, besides many In- 
dians. 

(This section presupposes a general knowledge of the War of 
1812, the chain of forts along the Sandusky and Maumee rivers, 
the commanders and armies on both sides, and such decisive bat- 
tles as Perry's Victory and the Battle of the Thames. For detailed 
accounts of the Battle of Fort Stephenson and of Croghan's life, 
see Mc ^fee's History of the Late War; Everett, Howe; articles 
in the < >hio Arch, and Mist. Pubs., Vol. X, p. 49, by Miss J. M. 
1 taynes, and Vol. XH, p. 375. by Chas. R. Williams.) 

What was the effect of the battle of Fort Stephenson? 

Tt was the first serious check to the land forces of Great Brit- 
ain. The disparity in numbers of the opposing sides, the youth 
of the hero and the decisive triumph created great enthusiasm 
throughout the country. This battle was the turning point of the 
war. 

Outline the history of "Old Betsy." 

It was probably an old French cannon captured from the French 
in the French and Indian wars of 1756-1763. Our first knowledge 
of it is at the Fourth of July celebration of 1813 (see above. 1 
After the war in which' the gun did such valiant service, it was 
removed to Pittsburg arsenal. Later Congress ordered its return 
to Lower Sandusky. Owing to the duplication of village names, 
the cannon was sent to Sandusky City, so named in [818, which 
at the time of the battle was called Ogontz's Place, and later 
Portland. The authorities wished to keep it, and for better con- 
cealment buried it. Mayor B. J. Bartlett, of Lower Sandusky, 
traced the gun and sent men and a wagon to bring it home. "< >ld 
Betsy" now stands in the center of Fort Stephenson, on the scene 
of her great triumph. 

Where were the British soldiers, killed at the battle of Fort 
Stephenson, buried ? 

A pit for the enlisted men was dug west of the Fort, extending 
over into the school yard. Lt. Col. SJiort and Lieut. Gordon, of 
the 41st Regiment, were buried side by side, near the present High 
School building, corner Park and Garrison streets. 

(Students of the Battle of Fore Stephenson should examine 
two fac-siniile gold medals in Birchard Library, presented by 
Congress, one to < leneral I [arrison in commemoration of the Bat- 
tle ol the Thames, the other to Major Croghan in commemoration 



i5 

of the battle of Fort Stephenson. The Library also has photo- 
graphs of the sword presented by Congress to Ensign Joseph 
Duncan who bore a conspicuous part in the defense. There is 
also a portrait of William Gaines, last survivor of the bat- 
tle, with a special military order signed by President Hayes, Sec- 
retary of War Ramsey, and General Sherman, awarding him an 
honorable pension. Also original letters from Croghan to Har- 
rison a few days before the battle ; fine oil portraits of Harrison 
and of Croghan ; a large drawing of the Fort blockhouses ; also 
pieces of the Fort pickets showing bullets in them.) 



F. Old Buildings. 

Describe the home of the Lower Sandusky pioneer. 

The one-story log cabin was built of round logs, the cracks 
filled with mud liberally mixed with leaves. The floors were of 
puncheons, as were the ponderous doors, hung on wooden hinges. 
The chimney was built of poles imbedded in mud mortar, on a 
foundation of stones placed outside the cabin, and a large open- 
ing cut through. A window was made by cutting out a piece of 
one or two logs and pasting greased paper over the opening. 

Furniture was equally simple. A bedstead made of two poles 
was built into the corner, with bark tied on for mattress. Benches 
were made of wide puncheons, with long pins driven in for "legs. 
Baking was done in a Dutch oven — a shallow kettle placed over 
the coals, with coals heaped over the cover. Babies were rocked 
in maple sugar troughs, made of large logs. At house raisings 
there was plenty to eat but little to eat with. All comers brought 
their own knives and spoons. 

Where was the first frame building in Lower Sandusky? 

Near the corner of Front and Croghan streets, on the site of 
Dorr's and Hamilton's store rooms. It was built by Israel Har- 
rington and used as a tavern. It was erected in 1815. Col. R. 
M. Johnson and other Kentucky soldiers stopped here on their 
way home from the Battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813. It 
was kept for a time by Gen. Otho Hinton, the stage line proprietor. 

What was the second frame building in the village? 

The store of Olmsted Brothers, erected in 1817 near the pres- 
ent Price Lumber Company office. It was two stories high, with 
60 feet front on the river. Dormer windows jutted out above, 
with pulleys and tackle for raising goods. After the store was 
built quite a pile of lumber was left which Judge Olmsted gave 
away from time to time to make coffins. 

Where was the first brick building in town? 



i6 

The old Beauregard residence, between the present Wheeling 
statii m and the bridge. 

In [820 how many houses were there in the village? 

Some ten or twelve of brick or frame, and about thirty log 
cabins. 

Who occupied the buildings on the Fort? 

After the war, the blockhouses were used as stopping places 
for pioneers till cabine could be buildt. Three families, the Morri- 
sons, Pattersons and Bakers occupied the three room cabin built 
near the northeasl corner of the square for officers during the 
war. The blockhouses were sold and removed in [818. About 
[832 Jaques Hulburd, who had purchased the Fort, erected a low 
frame dwelling which stood until 1877. when the place passed 
into the hands of the Library trustees. 

When was the first school house erected? 

In [816, on the site of the present Central School House. It 
was built of logs, with puncheon floors and benches, and oiled 
paper windows. A deep ravine ran east of it. and south were the 
graves of the British officers and soldiers. 

\\ hat were its successors? 

The first house was replaced in 1817 by a more substantial log 
house. In 1834 this was burned down because a cholera patient 
had been ill and died there the previous August. A rough Stone 
house took its place and stood until 1853. when the old brick 
building on the site of the present High School building was 
erected. The old stone school hou.se was used for church pur- 
poses and for public meetings as well as for schools. 

What and when' was the first church in Fremont? 

The M. E. Church, first services of which were held in the old 
log school house. In 1834, after this building was burned, the 
congregation built on the southwest corner of Arch and Garrison 
streets, land therefor being donated by David Gallagher. It was 
a two-stor) frame building, not large, and was occupied in 1835,. 
This was the inly church in the place and was used till the brick 
building, corner of Birchard and I 'ark Vvenues was completed 
in 1850. The parsonage was wast of tin- church on Garrison 
street, \fter tin- brick church was finished the old property was 
sold and the 'present residence of (has. Fouke, on High street, 
purchased for a parsonage. 

Where were early Presbyterian services held? 

( In the east side of the river, where the Herbrand works now 
stand, in a house built by the Prior brothers, and by them con- 
tributed fi >r church purpi >ses. 

Where was held the first Common Pleas Court of Sandusky 
I o 1 1 ii t y ? 

Crogfhansville had been selected by the ( >hio General Assembly 



17 

as the temporary seat of justice. There, May 8, 1820, in a small 
log house on the northwest corner of Ohio avenue and Pine 
street, court opened with George Tod as president judge; Israel 
Harrington, David Harold and Alexander Morrison as associate 
judges. 

Where was the second seat of justice? 

The log school house, near the corner of Park avenue and 
Croghan streets. Thither on May 23, 1822, court adjourned from 
the log house on Croghansville" hill. For ten years thereafter 
both Common Pleas and Supreme courts were held here. The 
chairman of the Committee on Permanent Location, which secured 
the court house for the west side of the river, was Charles R. 
Sherman, who with Judge Jacob Burnet opened the first term of 
the Supreme Court of Sandusky County July 30, 1823. Judge 
Sherman was the father of Gen. Wm. T. Sherman and Senator 
John Sherman. Judge Burnet had been United States Senator, 
as the successor of William Henry Harrison. At the August, 
1845, term ot tllis court, Stanley Matthews, later appointed to the 
U. S. Supreme Bench by President Hayes, was admitted to the 
bar. (See articles by Basil Meek on Courts and Bar of Sandusky 
County. ) 

Where was the first Court House of Sandusky County? 

On the present site of the M. E. Church, corner Birchard and 
Park avenues. It was "in the woods," and was moved, in 1831 
or 1832, by twenty-five yoke of oxen to a more convenient site, 
north' of Croghan" street. This court house, after ten years in 
building, was used but eleven years. Since 1845, when the pres- 
ent court house on Park avenue was completed, the earlier struct- 
ure has been the parsonage of St. John's Lutheran church. 

Where was the first local jail? 

On the river bank between Croghan and State streets. It was 
built of logs, a story and a half high. 

Name and locate some of the early taverns of Fremont. 

The earliest taverns were primitive structures of logs, in which 
the landlady roasted fat coons, wild 'turkeys and half saddles of 
deer before the -lowing fire of the common room, in the presence 
of the hungry guests. Rates were twenty-five cents a day, dinner 
for a man and his horse being six and a quarter cents. 

Harrington's tavern has already been mentioned. ( See First 
Frame Building above. ) 

A building, erected in 1818 north of State street, was moved 
in 1 83 1 to the northeast corner of Front and Croghan streets, 
by Thomas Ogle, and converted into a tavern kept by Isaac 
Knapp. In [839 the front parlor was fitted up as a storeroom 
by I. 1'. llavnes. In 1854, O. L. Xims wished to build a brick 
block on that corner, and gave the old building to Thos. L. Haw- 



i8 

kins, who moved it to Water streel south of Garrison, where it 
stood till [900 as part of J. P. Moore's carriage shop. 

In [820 William Andrews built a tavern on a little wharf at the 
fool "i" Garrison street. In its third story was the first Masonic 
Lodge in this town. This building, and" one built by Nicholas 
Whitenger about the same'time, were the only two listed in 1820- 
as worth one thousand dollars. Whitenger's house was the orig- 
inal part of the famous corner tavern, known as the < >hio Man- 
sion House, later as Kessler's, where the Wheeling station now 
stands. As early as [822, Thos. L. Hawkins converted the upper 
story into a theatre. In the early '40s. hoard and lodging at this 
tavern were $2.50 per week. 

\ i'< w doors north of the Mansion House, on the river hank, 
stood the Northern Exchange, built about 1836, a good, three- 
story building. Here for a time was the office of the Ohio Rail- 
way. Mere were held many of the town meetings. The second 
story was devoted to the < >hio Institute kept by Dio Lewis. In 
1X40, when P. Fusselman was proprietor, he rigged up a steel 
bar in a frame outside the door. This was struck at meal time,. 
and became practically the village clock. 

The Western Mouse, built in [830, on the site of the old Buck- 
land block, was in its day the leading hotel of Northwestern Ohio. 
It was a frame building with a great two-story piazza with large 
pillars. Its old barn long remained, being demolished for the 
building of the Christy Knife Works. 

Macklin's, the present American Mouse on West State street, 
was built in 1837. 

The present Hotel Fremont, long the Croghan House, was 
erected as a store by an Englishman named Weiler, who lived in 
the big brick house on Croghansville hill. 

< )n the east side of the river, .Morris A. Newman kept a tavern 
in very early times. ( hi the site of the late Tell House was I larp- 
ster's tavern, famous as Democratic headquarters. The ( ioose 
Mouse, with a wild goose sign, was the big frame building still 
standing on the north side of hast State street, ('apt. Samuel 
Thompson kept a famous hostlery on the present Thompson 
propert) where was held the notable Democratic meeting dur- 
ing the campaign of 1X40. (See Miss Keeler's "Sandusky 
River.") Rutherford Ik Mayes lived at Thompson's from 1845- 
[849. 

Name and locate some of the old residences of Fremont. 

The old Dickinson house, corner Arch and State streets, now 
the site of the Opera Mouse, was built by Morris A. Newman 
on the hill east of the river, and about [828 it was moved by 
yokes of oxen. It got stuck 011 the bridge, then an open one, 



19 

and a hole had to be cut through the house to allow teams and 
passengers to cross. 

In 1828. Capt. Morris Tyler set up a frame for a barn on the 
southwest corner of Front and State streets. In the fall he fin- 
ished the frame for a dwelling in which he and his family lived 
many years. When the Buckland block was built, this house was 
moved to North Center street and is now the residence of D. S. 
Blue, probably the oldest building in town. 

The residence of Christopher Smith on North Justice street 
was built by J. S. Olmstead, our first merchant, on the present 
site of Buchman's store. It was moved when the old Opera House 
block was erected. 

In 181 5 Jeremiah Everett, one of the earliest settlers, built a 
log house at the northeast corner of Arch and Ewing streets. 
One of the first frame houses on south Arch street was built in 
1839 by Andrew Morehouse, where the Wm. B. Sheldon resi- 
dence now stands. It was moved north on the same street, and 
is now occupied by J. Youngman. 

The original part of Dr. Robert Rice's residence was built by 
Elder Skinner, minister of the Baptist congregation whose church 
• stood about where the Jackson Underwear factory is now. The 
site was long occupied by the residence of Theo. Clapp. 

In 1837 three brick residences were begun, those of Dr. D. 
Brainard. now owned bv the Croghan Bank ; the Rawson house 
on State street; and the Macklin house (American House) oppo- 
site Dr Brainard's house, finished in 1840, was opened with a 
housewarming, one of the societv events of the early days. The 
whole town was invited, and a great collation served. This house 
was the finest in the place, four stories high, with beautiful walnut 
finishings, colonial stairways and mantels. 

The house at the northeast corner of Hayes and Park avenues, 
formerly stood near the center of that square. It was built by 
Azariah Eddv who sold it with his whole surrounding farm to 
John R Pease. Mr. Pease lived there until he built the house 
standing with manv outbuildings, on the Pease estate — the 
square southwest of Park and Hayes avenues. The main part of 
the Pease house has been moved to face Clover street. 

In 1853 one of the finest residences in northern Ohio was built 
bv R P Buckland the well-known house on Birchard and Park 
avenues' He sent to Georgia for pine to finish the house, using 
magnificent black walnut for the barns. Plumbing, hot water 
pipes and furnaces were introduced into town for the first time. 
The same year Mr. Buckland erected the Buckland Block, on 
Front street, between Croghan and Garrison streets; and a few 
years later the one on the southwest corner of Front and State 
streets. 



20 

The house at Spiegel Grove was begun 1>\ Sardis Birchard in 
[859 for the permanent home of his nephew, Rutherford B. 
Hayes, who, owing to his service in the army, in Congress and 
as < lovernor of ( >hio, did not occupy it until [873. Mr. Birchard 
lived there until that time. General Hayes made man) additions 
and alterations and the fine old house has been the scene of man) 
notable gatherings and has sheltered many distinguished guests. 

Where were the earl) stores of the village? 

Uong the river front, on Front street and Slate street. ( For 
a description of the early business houses see Everett, pp. 421 5. I 

Where were public meetings held in tlie early days? 

In the school house, Hawkins' theatre, the offices of the West- 
ern House, Mansion 1 louse and Northern Exchange, and the 
M E. Chapel. Then came Social Hall, now Masonic, at the open- 
ing of which R. P. Buckland presided as floor manager; Birch- 
ard Hall, built in [856, to seat one thousand persons, and "soon 
to he lighted with gas." Mammoth Mall, in the old ( >pera 1 louse 
block was the largest public hall prior to the opening of the new 
( >pera I [ouse. 

What was the first banking house in Fremont? 

A small one-stor) brick building where the Colonial Bank now 
stands, where on New Year's Day, 1S51, Sardis Birchard and 
Lucius Otis opened a private bank. Twelve years later it became 
the First National Bank of Fremont, standing fifth on the list 
of National Banks of the United States. 

What buildings were along the west hank of the river before 
[850, most of which gave way to the Wheeling tracks? 

Near the bend of the river below town were a dozen ware- 
houses; south of that the ship yard. The big two-story frame 
Ik use of ( olone! 1 lunt stood on the river hank opposite the present 
office of the Price Lumber Company; south of that the Northern 
Exchange, Lysander Ball's blacksmith shop, his house, die ( )hio 
Mansion House (Kessler House), and the Beaugrand residence. 
South of the bridge were the Anderson Hotel, near the present 
June's foundry; the old flour mill built by Hawkins and Boswell 
in 1818; the residence of Thos. L. Hawkins: Bidwell's flour mill; 
the flax seed oil mill at the foot of Birchard avenue, later used 
as a carding mill; the Gallagher Woolen Mill where Mr. Ford's 
house now stands on Bidwell avenue, and the old pin factory 
where the wooden pins for the ( )hio Railway were manufactured. 

G. History of Transportation and Routes of Travel. 

What was the principal route of travel through Fremont? 
The Sandusky river. The Indians as well as the Jesuit mission- 
aries and French traders came from Canada by wav of the St. 



21 

Lawrence river and Lakes Ontario and Erie, ascended the San- 
dusky river by canoe to the portage (in Crawford county) and 
carrying' their boats and canoes a short distance to the headwaters 
of the Scioto floated down to the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. 

( For the story of the Sandusky River, its fish, floods, famous 
boats and the important history of its valley, see "The Sandusk) 
River," by Miss Keeler, Ohio Archaeological and Historical Pub- 
lications, April, 1904.) 

How did the British forces come hither to the llattle of Fort 
Stephenson ? 

By Lake Erie and the Sandusky river. Mistaking Mud creek 
for the main channel of the river, the British were delayed a full 
dav, thus allowing Croghan at Fort Stephenson invaluable hours 
for preparation. 

What part did the river play in the early development of the 
village ? 

The ease of transportation by boat made Lower Sandusky the 
center of trade for one hundred miles about. It was a port of 
entry, with a customs collector, and was the head of navigation 
for large boats. In the early '40s, four and five hundred loads 
of wheat were often in our streets at one time, awaiting ship- 
ment. A row of warehouses opposite Brady's Island were re- 
quired to receive the grain. 

What were the principal exports? 

Fish, furs, wheat, black walnut crotches, oak staves, potash, 
butter and eggs. 

What were the principal imports? 

Salt, groceries and merchandise. 

What was the first steamer to come up the river, and when? 

The Walk-in-the-Water, 1818. 

( A picture of this interesting boat hangs on the walls of Birch- 
ard Library, and is reproduced in our frontispiece.) . 

Describe the boat Pegasus. 

The Pegasus, or horse boat, was built in 1819, by Thos. L. 
Hawkins, for the Sandusky river traffic. It consisted of two large 
canoes, side by side, separated by a platform large enough to 
carry a superstructure of machinery, a large amount of freight, 
and several passengers. The machinery was operated by four 
horses which moving treadmill fashion, worked paddles at each 
side of the boat. 

What was the Dog Ferry ? 

The inventive genius of the Pegasus constructed a ferry boat 
antedating the first village bridge. This ferry boat was propelled 
by paddle wheels driven by dog power, after the style of a dog 
churn. 



( live the nanus and dates of some early river boats built at 
I .< >u er Sandusky. 

The Nautilus, a 20-ton sloop, 1816; the schooners Cincinnati 
and Ohio, [828. In 1830 Sardis Birchard owned tbe Cincinnati 
and paid ten cents a bushel for corn with which to load it. 

When did river commerce fall off, and why? 

Prior to the Civil War, before the swifter transportation of 
the railways. 

When was the first bridge constructed across the river at Fre- 
m< nit. and by whom ? 

In [828, by James Birdseye. 

What were the principal land trails? 

Hutchin's map of [764 shows a trail from Fort Pitt (Pitts- 
burg) to Lower Sandusky. "This was the great trail made by 
the buffaloes first and used by the Mound Builders next, then by 
later races of Indians in going to and returning from the San- 
dusky country and lakes." A second trail led around the western 
end of Lake Lrie to Detroit; a third followed the western hanks 
of the river to Upper Sandusky. During the War of 1812 this 
last named trail became the military road for supplying General 
Harrison's forces. It has been preserved, with Harrison's name, 
as the main road through Spiegel Grove, the residence of Presi- 
dent 1 [ayes. 

Sketch the history of State street. 

The only wagon road through Lower Sandusky was cut through 
the dense forests of the Black Swamp. In 1808 the Indians ceded 
to the United States a strip of land for a road from the Western 
Reserve (Bellevue) to the rapids of the Maumee river (Perrys- 
burg. ) In 181 1, Congress provided for a survey of the projected 
highway; and in i8_'_\ turned the building of the road over to 
the State of ( >hio. Te road was known as the Western Reserve 
and Maumee Turnpike. In 1838 the Ohio legislature voted to im- 
prove and macadamize it. 

Western Reserve Turnpike. In 1838, the Ohio legislature voted 
to improve and macadamize it. 

Before macadamizing, what was the condition of this road? 

It was an almost continuous mudhole. Over some of the worsl 
places logs were laid forming a "corduroy." 

(For amusing tales of rights to mudholes ; the taverns along 
the wa\ and details of building the turnpike, see Everett, p. 145, 
et. seq., and pp. 441 and 654; also Miss Keelers "The Sandusky 
River.") 

W'h.it called attention to the awful condition of the old road, 
and h( iw ? 

The Ohio and Michigan War, called also the Toledo War, in 
1835. was over the boundary line between the State of Ohio and 



23 

Michigan Territory. The Governor of Ohio, his staff, commis- 
sioners and surveyors, with 600 troops and influential men, met 
at Lower Sandusky and traveled toward the disputed territory 
by way of the Western Reserve and Maumee Turnpike. After 
wallowing through thirty-one miles of mud and water, and realiz- 
ing that this was the only route between the east and west, the 
officers of the State hastened to lend their aid to the permanent 
improvement of the road. 

What was the result of this boundary dispute? 
The disputed strip of land along the northern boundary of 
Ohio, including the town of Toledo, was awarded to Ohio ; and 
Michigan was compensated by the gift of what is now her north- 
ern peninsula, a tract of inestimable value" in copper and timber. 
It is worthy of note that the innumerable military titles of early 
residents of Ohio were by-products of this Toledo War. 
What was the first carriage in Lower Sandusky? 
After the Battle of the Thames, in Canada, October 5, 1813, 
the spoils of the victory were brought by General Harrison to 
Fort Stephenson, among them being General Proctor's carriage. 
Thos. L. Hawkins, who was in charge of the government prop- 
erty at the Fort, used to hitch oxen to the coach and take drives 
in "it. Tt was probably very old even then, as Hawkins' jack- 
knife uncovered at least twelve coats of paint upon its sides. 
General Proctor had brought it over from England. 
What stage routes passed through Lower Sandusky? 
In the spring of 181 3. Calvin Pease ran the express mail twice 
a week from Pittsburg to the headquarters of the Northwestern 
army. At times this route led through Lower Sandusky, and 
some passengers were doubtless accommodated. The main chan- 
nel of passenger travel, however, was the Sandusky river. Be- 
fore 1830 the Conestoga wagons of pioneers, boat shaped, with 
curved bottom, began working their way alone: the turnpike. In 
the '30s, stages were running through Lower Sandusky with con- 
siderable regularity, in spite of the awful roads. The Lower 
Sandusky Whig, of June, 1839, says that Otho Hinton, proprietor 
of the stao-e line between Lower Sandusky and Detroit, had put 
on a supply of new two-horse coaches. Artemus Beebe, propri- 
etor of the connecting line east of Cleveland then ran coaches 
only as far west as Bellevue, and stage wagons from that place 
to Lower Sandusky, "on account of the unevenness of the roads 
and night travel." ' That sort of transportation would seem slow 
enough now, but it was generally satisfactory then, "even when 
the passengers paid six cents a mile for the privilege of walking 
and carrying a rail with which to help pry the stage out of mud 
holes." General Hinton astonished his acquaintances by turning 
out robber of the mails transported on his own coaches. 



2 4 

In the '40s. the stages easl and west, as well as a line south to 
Columbus were operated 1>\ Neil, Moore & Co. Their coaches 
were greal comfortable affairs, with a railed-in top for light lug- 
gage, and a big leather bool behind capable of holding five or 
six trunks. The stages made from four to fifteen miles an hour 
according to the weather and condition of the road. There were 
four horses, with relays at every station. At Lower Sandusky, 
the stage office was at the historic corner tavern where the Wheel- 
ing station now stands. The drivers were imposing, sententious, 
intelligent men, very skillful with their twelve-foot lashes, "able. 
to pick a fly o\'( the leader's ear without touching him." They 
sounde.d huge horns .as they approached the village. Each driver 
carried a wallet containing a way hill, on which was inscribed 
the name and destination of each passenger, with amount of lug- 
gage; as well as all manner of local news. Thus reports of fires, 
accidents, deaths, elections, passed from place to place. In this 
way word came to Lower Sandusky of the death of President 
Harrison who had so Ion- served as military head of this region. 
(Consult "Stage Coach Days," by Mrs. Earle, for the general 
subject. ) 

What, and where were the 1 'lank Roads? 

A Plank Road, like a turnpike, was well graded and ditched. 
The road bed was made like a wooden sidewalk, 2 inch oak planks, 
8 feet long, laid on stringers 'irmly embedded in the earth. Be 
ginning in [850, over fifty miles of Plank Roads were laid out 
oi Fremont, extending to Tiffin, Fostoria and Green Spring. 
Citizens of Fremont s.pen1 over $40,000 in building such roads. 

Did the Plank Roads facilitate transportati 

Greatly. < >n the old road, forty bushels <^ wheat constituted 
an average load for a span oi horses. On the plank roads the 
same team could readily haul 110 bushels. 

What was the first railway projected through Lower Sandusky? 

The ( ihio Railway, with a projected route alon \ the shore of 
Lake Erie from the Pennsylvania line to the Maumee river. The 
tracks were to cross the Sandusky river at Lower Sandusky, 
about forty rods north of the present State street bridge. 

Sketch the history and construction of this road on stilts. 

Construction was begun in 1838. The track was laid on a foun- 
dation of piles driven by a pile driver, the tops cut off to grade 
by a buzz saw. The pile driver, sawing machine, traction engine 
and a peripatetic boarding house for the workmen were trundled 
along ovrr the track as fast as it was laid. The first pile within 
the- limits of Lower Sandusky was driven June [9, [839, at a 
spot near the present L. S. & M . S. R. R. station. It was wit 
nessed be a large assemblage. A superb trestle crossed the river 
from hill to hill, but the < >hio Railway bubble burst before tracks 



25 

• 

were laid in this vicinity, and the people had their worthless Ohio 
Railway money in their pockets. 

( For description of this unique railway, its financing, construc- 
tion, etc., see Everett, King, etc.) 

When was the first railway operated through Fremont ? 

The present Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, then 
called the Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland Railway, sent its first 
passenger train through Fremont February 7, 1853. 

What was the second railway through Fremont? 

An organization called the Fremont and Indiana Railway, now 
the Lake Erie and Western, was incorporated by citizens of Fre- 
mont, with Dr. L. O. Rawson as president. The first train left 
Fremont, running as far as Fostoria, February 1, 1859. 

What was the third railway to enter Fremont? 

The Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway, now a part of the Wa- 
bash system, ran its first passenger train August 4, 1882. f 

( A study of the importance of steam transportation, what it 
meant to a new country, and details of financing, construction 
and operating of roads in this locality, should here be made. 
Consult Everett, pp. 164-172.) 

H. Miscellaneous. 

How was Fremont represented in the War with Mexico ? 

Company C of the 4th Ohio Vol. Inf. was recruited here, by 
C.iiit. Samuel Thompson. The company traveled by wagon to 
Perrysburg, thence to Cincinnati by the Miami Canal, thence down 
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. It visited Vera 
Cruz, Santa Fe, and was in action at the Natural Bridge of Mex- 
ico and Pueblo. Company C was mustered out at the close of 
the war. Captains A. C. Bradley and J. A. Jones also recruited a 
number of men from this county. Over two hundred Sandusky 
county pioneers volunteered for the Mexican War. 

Note some of the incidents in the Harrison Campaign, and 
why did Lower Sandusky take especial interest in it? 

General Harrison, as commander of the Western Army through 
the War of 1812 had traversed this region again and again, and 
this county, hitherto invariably Democratic, cast a majority of 
two votes for him as President. At the convention in Columbus, 
February 21, 1840, "The Whigs of Northwestern Ohio got in 
about one o'clock in a procession half a mile long, with a fac- 
simile of Fort Meigs at their head. This was built at Perrysburg 
under the supervision of Mr. Spink and Elder Badger — the lat- 
ter gentleman, now eighty years old, was Chaplain in Harrison's 
army. He, together with Thos. L. Hawkins, who acted as Com- 
missarv during the war, rode upon the Fort. 



26 

"The rain fell in torrents, but gaily we tramped the mud 
through, 
To show the white stock gentry how we stick to Old 
Tippecanoe." 

(For further incidents of Fremont in the Harrison campaign, 
see "The Sandusky River." ) 

t live some instances of social life in Fremont in early times? 

The Freeman, January 19, 1852, describes the 8th of January 
(Jackson's Day) ball at Social Hall, now Masonic Hall, in the old 
Buckland Block : 

"The largest party that ever assembled in Fremont on an occa- 
ion of this kind was at Social Hall on Thursday evening last. 
FCessler prepared a supper that must have satisfied the most fas- 
tidious. A bear was served up in the best possible style; venison, 
turkeys, chickens and other game in great profusion; and the 
other accompaniments of a feast." 

What was the first crop sown and harvested in this locality? 

Indian corn, little patches of which were common all along the 
river lowlands. It sold in early times for ten cents a bushel. 

What sugar was used? 

Maple sugar, home made. Not less than one hundred tons of 
maple sugar wese made here in the spring of 1839. 

Who was the first man to pay cash for crops? 

R. H. Heywood, of the Castalia mills. In 1825 the Erie canal 
was completed and he sent out a circular that he wanted 5,000 
bushels of wheat and would pay cash for it. People hurried to 
him from forty miles around, fearing his money would give out 
before they arrived. He was the first man in this section to start 
money. Hitherto "store pay" reigned. 

What price was paid for butter and eggs in early times? 

Six cents a pound, and six cents a dozen, was the average price. 

When did the Asiatic Cholera visit Fremont? 

The first and worst scourge was in 1834. It was brought by 
one of a boat load of German emigrants from Buffalo. The 
emigrants' camp by the landing place was a place of indescribable 
suffering. Persons merely passing the spot caught the infection 
and died by the roadsides. The living could scarcely bury the 
dead. Many of the citizens fled the town. The scourge lasted a 
month. There were a few deaths from the cholera in 1839, 1854, 
and in 1866. 

What Parks has Fremont? 

Birchard Park, the handsome native grove in the west end 
of town was given by Sardis Birchard, as was also the little Dia- 
mond Park southeast of it. 



Fort Stephenson Park belongs jointly to the city and the trus- 
tees of Birchard Library, who purchased it from its former 
owners. 

The Park east of the Court House was set apart for that pur- 
pose in 1840 by Piatt Brush, Sr., and his three sons. 

The whole square surrounding the court house and jail belong 
to the county. 

Give the origin and significance of some of the names of local 
streets. 

Front street in early times fronted the river. 

State street is the old Western Reserve and Maumee road, ma- 
cadamized by the State of Ohio. 

Birchard avenue, formerly Market street, was named for the 
generous donor of two city parks and the public library. 

Croghan street commemorates the hero of Fort Stephenson, 
and Garrison street, its gallant garrison. 

Hayes avenue honors the President, Fremont's most distin- 
guished citizen, whose residence opens from it. This street long 
bore the name of John, after John R. Pease, one of the largest 
property owners of the village' and who opened a large part of 
the street. 

Bidwell avenue, long Water Street, was named for one of the 
early residents who owned the village water power, and had a 
flour mill, a saw mill and a flaxseed oil mill along the river, north 
and south of Birchard avenue. ( )lder residents will recall Es- 
quire Bidwell as he delivered his own flour, driving an ox team 
with a twelve-foot whip, and usually barefooted. 

Justice street was opened by Mr. James Justice. 

Ohio and Sandusky and other avenues on Croghansville hill 
were laid out and named by the government surveyor in 1816. 
There are no other streets in the city to compare with them in 
width and beauty of location. 

Two streets on the east side, near the river, were named for 
William C. Elliot, of Brattleboro, Vermont, who surveyed the 
street while on a visit here ; and Judge Howland, one of the in- 
corporators of the village. 

Dickinson street, along the west corporation line of the city, 
was opened from the Maumee pike, northerly, and was named 
for the first two U. S. Congressmen from this locality, the Hon. 
Rudolphus Dickinson and his son, Edward Dickinson. 



Bibliography. 

History of Sandusky County, by Homer Everett. 
Historical Collections of Ohio, by Henry Howe. 



28 



History of the Late War (1812), by McAfee. 

Ohio, by James W. Taylor. 

Ohio, by Rufus King. 

Col. Smith's Captivity with the Indians. 

Crawford's Campaign Against the Sandusky Indians, by C. 
Butterfield. 

Bouquet's Expedition .Against the Ohio Indians, by C. But- 
terfield. 

Life Among the Indians, by James Finley. 

The Indian Nations, by Heckewelder. 

The Ice Age in America, by G. Frederick Wright. 

Proceedings of the Sandusky County Pioneer Association. 

Fremont Journal, 1840-1905. 

Unveiling of the Soldiers' Monument at Fort Stephenson. 

Ohio Archaeological and Historical Publications. 

Western Reserve Historical Tracts. 

Courts and Bar of Pioneer Days in Sandusky County, by Basil 
Meek; Fremont Daily News, September 9, 1904. 

Seats of Justice and Court House of Sandusky County, by Basil 
Meek; Fremont Daily News, August 16, 1905. 

The Sandusky River, by Lucy Elliot Keeler. 

Thanks are herewith tendered to Col. Webb C. Hayes for valu- 
able MMS., maps and early Americana from the Library of Presi- 
dent Hayes, for proof-reading, and invaluable suggestions ; to 
Prof. Seth Hayes for notes on the Geology of Sandusky County ; 
and to the compilers of the "Guide to the Local History of Brook- 
line, Mass.," for the outline of the arrangements of these queries 
and notes. 




•( tl.D BETSY 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 750 251 5 i 



